Councillors attacked over 33% 'pay rise'

Councillors on Labour-controlled Liverpool City Council came under fire for awarding themselves a 33 per cent "pay rise" by extending special responsibility and telephone allowances. The deputy leader, Frank Prendergast, used his casting vote to sanction the rise in the amount committee chairpersons and opposition spokespeople can claim. The move took his earnings to pounds 10,000, with a further pounds 24 for every local authority meeting he attends.

Opposition councillors condemned the rise as "outrageous". Liberal Democrat Rosie Cooper called it "an insult to the people of this city, who are having to put up with an inept administration".